Residential property guides

This RICS guide offers advice to homeowners considering developments to their home:

• How RICS can help you
• Building regulations
• Planning a development? 
• Digging deep - Cellar conversions
• Extending your living space
• Raising the roof
• Planning permission
• Choosing a builder  

Many properties provide potential for expansion - either up, out or even down. Providing building works are undertaken sensibly, such work can add value to your home while giving your family more room to live and work.

With a little imagination and some expert advice, you could add a conservatory, convert your loft space into the home office or spare room you've always wanted, or even excavate a cellar or basement.

Its also useful for those looking to improve their property before putting it on the market, or for homebuyers planning to take on a property with a view to developing it.

For more information

For an unrivalled selection of the latest books covering property, construction and land issues please visit www.ricsbooks.com  

• Find a Surveyor
• Planning Portal
• Property Makeover Guide
• Federation of Master Builders  

If you have read the guide, are planning a building project and want independent, impartial advice from a qualified professional with good local knowledge, contact us.

t +44 (0) 870 333 1600
e contactrics@rics.org

Further reading

The Property Makeover Price Guide: organising and budgeting for home improvements

• A guide to organising and budgeting for home improvement or development is available from BCIS - The Building Cost Information Service of RICS. Phil Spencer, TV Property Expert says;

"This title is an invaluable resource for anyone serious about home improvement and property development, written by BCIS - an authority on construction costings."  

It includes:

• Prices for more than 1300 different types of work, including common defects (eg replacing gutters), common alteration works (eg installing double glazing) and total project works (eg adding a conservatory)
• Practical advice on how to plan for building work
• Major property problems - what they will cost to fix
• Alterations and extensions - the issues and typical costs
• Planning permission and building regulations
• Employing a contractor or builder - important considerations and advice

Price £17.99

Published by BCIS
May 2008
ISBN 978 1 904829 80 5

To order

t  +44 (0)20 7695 1500 or
e sales@bcis.co.uk